Hundreds of residents from Iapmala village turned up today to take advantage of a free health camp organized by the Link Worker Scheme (LWS), a project of the Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE), and sponsored by Project Regeneration Meghalaya of Earth Tree. The camp was also supported by the office of the District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO), East Jaintia Hills District.
The Link Worker Scheme, supported by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), works to link people living with HIV to government health services and create awareness about preventive healthcare in rural areas.
The health camp was held at the Anganwadi Centre, Iapmala, a small hamlet located about 15 kilometres from Khliehriat, the district headquarters. Iapmala village, with 269 households and a population of 1,845, witnessed enthusiastic participation as residents thronged the venue to avail themselves of the services. More than a hundred villagers, both young and old, benefited from the camp, which offered free medical consultations, blood sugar and blood pressure tests, and distribution of free medicines.
A brief inaugural meeting preceded the camp in the presence of Dr. J. Nongtdu, Medical and Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills; Womboi Lamurong, Headman of Iapmala; and Dr. H. H. Mohrmen, Head of SURE and Consultant at Earth Tree.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. H. H. Mohrmen informed the gathering about the various services provided by SURE to the people of East Jaintia Hills, including the Link Worker Scheme supported by MACS and skill training programmes supported by the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS). He also highlighted the objectives of Project Regeneration Meghalaya, implemented by Earth Tree, Shillong, which focuses on tree planting and carbon credit sharing with local landowners.
Dr. Nongtdu expressed concern over the alarming rise of HIV cases in both East and West Jaintia Hills districts and encouraged people to come forward for testing and to utilize government health services. Expressing his gratitude on behalf of the community, Womboi Lamurong, the headman of Iapmala, thanked SURE, Earth Tree, and the medical team for organizing the camp and bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of the villagers. The meeting was chaired by Haphadahun Sympli, District Resource Person, Link Worker Scheme, East Jaintia Hills District.
